The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-04-13
SCHWARTZ-WATT.
Progress of tho Trial Of the Rock
Island Train Robbers at Nor
ris, III.
Strong Testimony Against the Ac-
cused-A Sermon Causes q
Sensation.
MORRIS GILL; CORRESPONDENCE

The trial of Schwartz and Watt ON the charge
of having murdered Kellogg Nichols, the OK
press messenger on the Rock Island Railroad.
IN March, 1885, has been in progress here two
weeks, and will in all probability not be con-
Guided for at least another week. The testi-
mony SO far adduced though mainly circum-
stantial, taken a whole makes up rather
strong case against the two accused brakemeI;S
Carl Woods, engineer OF the train upon which
Nichols was murdered, described the blood
stains in the car in which Kellogg Nichols
indicated that Nichols made desperate
effort to reach and set the air-brakes.
Witness gave detailed account OF the appear
ance Of the cars, how they were loaded, how the
doors were fastened. and other particulars cal
culated TO give the jury an accurate knowledge
of the circumstances OF the crime. IL was
drawn out that IL was not until some time after
il was decided TO take the two cars on with the
train that Watt said set them out I'm id
il 1 want to ride in them" Schwartz was asked
If he would run the baggage, and replied that
he was not afraid, and would do 30. Witness
gave some testimony to show that there could
have been no man on the Top OF Watt car Gov .y
transom. Conductor Wagner testified that the
iron poker with blood upon it, with which the
messenger evidently beaten to death, was
found hanging behind the stove In its accustom-
ed place. This circumstance is regarded as al
most positive proof that the murder was COM
mitted by train man, as no one unaccustoIned
TO the car would ever think OF hanging up the
poker in its proper place again after the perpe-
tration of the deed.
Napoleon Briggs. who was fireman on EngN
neer Woods train, testified TO Schwartz's move
ments and actions after the crime, and his dis
inclination Co talk about the matter. Conduc-
tor Danforth gave similar testimony TO Briggs,
and also told about finding the tell sachel
in the car closet on the return trip from DaveD-
port. He asked Schwartz what lie thought
about the murder, and who committed il. To
that Schwartz threw out his hands and said:
Colonel, don't know anything about IL. He
did not want TO talk about the matter Witness
looked in the ladies' car closet after leaving
Marseilles and there was nothing in il. At Sem
eca, the next station five miles on, witness saw
Cab - arau 0eha ffAR nUfn
Seneca witness opened the closet door and
found obstructing the door a sachel new and of
cheap description. and partially torn up. Part
of the sachel corner-piece as stuck fast in the
closet aperture. Witness called Schwartz, and
both picked up the pieces Among them
err. and remarked that it might have
some connection with the robbery. The
piece of voucher was shown TO witness by
MIR. Carter, and was fully identified and put in
evidence: 1t was passed over to the jury and
examined with great interest. The debris OF
the sachel was also produced, identified by wit
ness, put in evidence, and examined by the
jury. Several other train employees were placed
on the stand, but their evidence was not Of
material Importance, beyond corroborating and
strengthening the testimony OF those who had
Exceeded them.
On Sunday last a somewhat sensational event
in connection with this now celebrated trial &C.
CURED. Saturday afternoon court was adj
iourned with strict injunction by Judge De-
bell to the jurors that they should not talk over
the evidence in the case among themselves, or
allow any one TO refer TO the case in their hear
ing. He said they must allow nothing what
ever TO influence their minds, but should keep
them strictly in such state that they could give
TO each portion of the evidence rs IL might be
presented the just and fair weight due it, Then
he asked if counsel would have any objections
TO the Jury attending church in charge of Off
GERS. Counsel for both sides assented to this
readily little imagining what would result
A little before church time word sent to
the Rev NJ. A. Phillips, pastor of the Methodist
church, that the jury would attend at his sane
tuary, and accordingly three seats were re-
served in the central portion Of the church for
its accommodation. 1t was more than ordi-
nary service at the church by reason of the
presence OF the Rev. DIR. n. A Axtell, the pre-
siding elder of the Joliet district Of the Rock
River conference, within the bounds of which
Morris is situated. DIR. Axtell preached on tho
strength of power and the important part which
little things play in its composition.
Then, speaking Of the practical pursuits Of
life, he said that success and reputation in
them depended not ON some one great and
brilliant dchevement or the possession of ex-
traordinary powers or ability which command
ed instant admiration but on a careful, pains
taking, and industrious utilization of little
sources OF strength. as they might be termed.
He went on to emphasize the important part
often played by little things in the securing Of
great results, and referred to the fact that
criminals had many times been convicted and
brought to their just punishment by circum-
stantial evidence of itself OF the most trivial
nature. but which. when combined with other
evidence seemingly equally unmportant,
vealed guilt beyond doubt He gave an illus
tration by telling how man had committed
for time, and finally went to India.
Among articles gathered up at the scene of the
some clew TO the perpetrator was envelope
containing a draft or paper Of like description.
The corner had been torn of as II by the teeth.
Years afterward there was found in the vest
pocket OF the man in India a little piece of
paper which fitted exactly to the torn part OF
the envelope, and the man by that evidence
was brought to trial and found guilty.
DIR. Axtell told the story with great vividness,
and when telling how the ragged edges fitted
exactly together held up his hands with the I'm
ger-ends interlaced. The strongest evidence
thus far introduced in the trial is the finding Of
a torn corner of a bank voucher in the closet
Of the train on which Schwartz returned to Chi
cago from Davenport, which little piece fitted
exactly to a torn voucher found in the contents
of the robbed safe. The almost exact identity
OF DIR. Axtells illustration with this very
apparent and taken with his powerful presen-
tation Of the Importance OF circumstantial evil
dence, struck many as most remarkable utter
ances TO be made before the jury.
The sermon has been the talk OF the town for
the past three days. The counsel for the de-
Tense held brief consultation the subject
Just. before court opened Monday. Whether to
call the attention of the court formally to the
matter, and demand that the trial be stopped at
once and the jury discharged; was one OF the
propositions seriously discussed. It was finally
decided that il would be better TO say nothing
about it and to let the trial proceed as. in case,
n verdict OF guilty should be returned the de
Tense could make use. in a way likely to b
effectual, of the fact in an attempt to secure q
new trial or obtain reversal by the Supreme
much about the propriety of the jury having
listened to such a sermon, or the serious con-
sequences or complications in the trial likely to
result, but did say that the matter was deplor-
able and most unfortunate.
Miss Emma Lewis testified that before the
murder Schwa u and his wife were living In
poor circumstances in Chicago, and that Mrs.
Schwartzs clothing was extremely shabby.
After Nichols death both his and her wearing
apparel became suddenly better Mrs Schwartz
soon had three or four new dresses of silk and
lace Witness visited the Schwartzes two or
three times week. After the robbery they
got new Brussels carpet and finely up
holstered furniture, lace curtains, folding-bed
and easy chairs, and silver knives, forks, and
spoons. Miss Lewis confessed TO indulging in q
bit of eavesdropping at Schwartz's house. be-
tween him and Watt. The twain went
into the kitchen, closing tho door after
them. Phcing her ear TO the keyhole she
overheard the following conversation Schwartz
said to Watt: Newt, You seem 70 be wanting a
shove all the suspicion on me-" Watt reptile =
We'll, you are safe, your father is rich, You
could easily account for your mo~ey." Schwartz
said We'll. why didn't you give me two ffties
instead Of n hundred2" Watt said it was dark
where he got them, and no took the srst ones he
came to. Witness heard Mrs. Schw rtz coming
back at this point and did not dare listen longer
IT is supposed that one reason why
an apothecary's Qc DDS seh SO readily il